Articulated ground effect machine system



Sept. 17, 1968 c. BARR ARTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17, 1967 INVENTOR.

CHARLES BARR ATTOZ/VEYS Sept. 17, .1968 c. BARR ARTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM 6 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1967 l I I; I

INVENTOR.

CHARLES BARR A rro zvgys Sept. 17, 1968 c. BARR 7 3,401,767

ARTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM Filed March 17, 1967 P 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

CHARLES BARR ATTORNEYi Sept. 17, 1968 7 c. BARR 3,401,767

AHTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM Filed March 17, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

CHARLES BARR Qua/ @Aw e, M+M

A TTO/QNEYS Sept. 17, 1968 C. BARR ARTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM Filed March 17, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

CHARLES BARR BY @ww,@m1@ Mv @6441 ATTORNEY Sept. 17, 1968 c. BARR ARTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 17',

mm mm iggy? ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,401,767 ARTICULATED GROUND EFFECT MACHINE SYSTEM Charles Barr, Amherst, N.Y., assignor to Bell Aerospace Corporation, Wheatfield, N.Y. Filed Mar. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 623,867 11 Claims. (Cl. 180-121) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plurality of different type ground effect machine modules are provided with means for interconnecting them in universally articulated relationship in any preferred plan view arrangement, to provide a novel ground effect machine system capable of carrying loads in improved manner over a variety of terrain conditions. The invention features improved overall efficiency of operation and improved versatility with respect to coping with a large variety of transport problems.

Brief summary and background of the invention This invention relates generally to vehicles of the socalled ground effect machine type; and more particularly to a transport system employing, in any desired combination, selected from a large variety of available combinations, pluralities of functionally different vehicle modules. Such systems are particularly useful in conveying commercial or military freight, personnel, supplies, machiner tools, or the like; over land and water, thin ice, snow, soft or marshy soil, or other terrain or surfaces such as may not for practical purposes be traversed satisfactorily by boats, sleds, Wheeled vehicles, or the like.

The typical ground effect machine of the prior art comprises a rigidly integrated unit including a single platform having cushion-air enclosing skirts suspended therefrom and supporting its power plant and air cushion generating fan and propulsion and directional control means,'while at the same time also providing a cargo accommodating space. Such machines have proven to be quite useful but in some respects have been found to be disadvantageous because of certain inherent attitude instability problems, as well as a lack of versatility of such machines to adapt to different load and/ or terrain situations. The present invention is concerned with improved utilization of ground effect machine or air cushion vehicle techniques of load levitation and conveyance.

The primary object is to provide a ground effect machine system of improved inherent operational stability; which is particularly useful for example in transport or ferrying operations under varying terrain and/or load size-shape-weight conditions. For instance, the invention is particularly suited to the movement of well drilling or mining machinery; mineral ores; lumber; or military equipment or the like; over water, marsh, snow-covered or other wilderness type terrain. The invention is also particularly applicable to situations wherein the length and width dimensions of the loads to be ferried vary substantially.

Heretofore, with a view to saving the time and expense involved in building conventional roadways or the like to accommodate conventional vehicles, efforts have been directed toward the development of special vehicles supported by wheels, tracks, pontoons, skis or the like; with a view to spreading the load over a sufficient area of the surface traversed to attain adequate support. Obviously such devices are extremely limited as to the terrain they can negotiate under load, and such efforts can be effective only under certain limited terrain conditions; and as yet no such devices have been found that will satisfactorily meet 3,401,767 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 the problem in the base of other more severe and/ or different terrain conditions.

Whereas ground effect machines are now of proven practicality, any given machine is of course limited as to the weight, size, shape and type of load it is adapted to transport. For example, a machine designed for carrying one load or type of load will not be dimensionally suited for carrying some other sized or type of load; and although it has been proposed to gang up a plurality of such machines when needed to transport a large load, it is obvious that a plurality of such machines would often be required just to provide a suitably sized load support platform, and that such a gang system would be inordinately expensive; both from the capital investment standpoint and the operational expense standpoint because the overall available lift and propulsion power of the gang system would far exceed the actual need.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a load transport system which is not subject to the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a ground effect or air cushion support system for transporting in improved manner variously sized loads over all types of terrain or water.

It is another object to provide a system as aforesaid which, while being versatile in respect to the character and magnitude of the loads to be carried thereby, is also economical with respect to the power consumption and capital investment involved.

It is another object to provide a system as aforesaid which comprises a plurality of modules which may be variably interconnected to provide a functionally integrated load platform of variably extended longitudinal and/ or lateral planform dimensions; and which automatically adjusts itself to uneven terrain when passing thereover and evenly distributes its loading over the terrain area which is covered by the system.

It is another object to provide a load transport system as aforesaid which is economically self-propelled.

Detailed description Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification and the accompanying drawing in which the invention is illustrated by way of example and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view, with portions broken away to show interior construction, of a transport system of the invention; comprising a functional combination of three different type modules constructed and assembled in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, on larger scale, of one type of module utilized in a transport system as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a parti-elevational and vertical sectional view of another type module utilized in a transport system as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of still another type module as utilized in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, with portions broken away to show the interior of the module of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, with top cover portions broken away as indicated by line 66 of FIG. 7, of a transport system employing still different type modules;

FIG. 7 is a front end elevational view of the transport system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates in plan view still another type transport system employing modules of the types shown in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the system of FIG. 8 and illustrating the application thereto of load protective covering devices;

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 but showing the use of a rigid load support platform disposed intermediately of the ground effect modules of the system and the load to be transported, and illustrating the terrainaccommodating capabilities of the system while transporting a load in weather-protected manner while avoiding the imposition of shape-changing stresses on the load per se; and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a transport system such as illustrated by FIG. 10.

As shown at FIG. 1, a transport system of the invention may by way of example be constructed by interconnecting in side-by-side juxtaposed relation any number of three basic type modules, comprising as shown at FIG. 1, a propulsion module 12; a plurality of load platform modules 14; and a lift module 16. The modules 12, 14, 16 are illustrated separately at FIGS. 2, 4-5, and 3, respectively. Each of these three basic type modules will be described in detail hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 25, each of the modules of the system includes a basic structure comprising a rigid chassis or hard platform portion 20 which may be conveniently fabricated of sheet metal, wood, or the like into box-like form to include a top plate 22; a bottom plate 24; and side wall plates 26. Each body portion 20 is subtended by a flexible peripherally disposed skirt 28, and each bottom plate portion 24 is apertured as shown at 29 (FIGS. 1, 3, Thus, it will be appreciated that each box-like structure will comprise a plenum chamber into which air may be pumped for discharge through the aperture 29 into the confines of the flexible skirt portion 28 for generating a levitating air cushion effect thereunder, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

As illustrated at FIG. 3, the modules 16 enclose within the hard structures 20 thereof a downwardly directed fan or compressor device as indicated generally at 30 driven by means of an engine as indicated at 32 to pump air downwardly as through an inlet cowl 34 and through the aperture 29 into the confines of the flexible skirt 28. Thus, upon operation of the engine 32 the fan 30 will pump air into the plenum chamber interior of the module portion 20. In addition to the aperture 29 through the bottom plate 24 of the plenum chamber structure, the four side wall portions 26 of the platform structure each includes an aperture 36 provided with a readily detachable cover plate 38.

The basic modules 14 as illustrated at FIGS. 1, 4, 5 are identical in construction to the module 16 referred to hereinabove except that the top plate portion 22 of the basic modules 14 is continuous across the top surface of the module, and no fan-engine unit is provided therein.

However, it will be appreciated that one or more modules of the type designated 14 may be arranged in side-'by-side juxtaposed relation with a module of the type designated 16 (FIG. 3) and coupled thereto as by means of flexible chains or cables, or the like as indicated at 40; the hard structures of the modules being provided with suitable eye-brackets 42 or the like to facilitate flexible interconnections of juxtaposed modules as illustrated by way of example at FIG. 1.

The side wall apertures 36 of all of the modules are positionally located so as to come into communicative registry with corresponding apertures of other modules when a plurality of such modules are brought together into nested relation such as illustrated at FIG. 1. Hence, it will be readily understood that when a transport system as shown for example by FIG. 1 is being assembled, the sidewall ports 36 of contiguous modules are readily interconnected by means of flexible hoses or conduits as indicated at 44 (FIG. 1). Hence, When a group of such modules, including one or more engine-fan containing modules 16, are relatively assembled as shown for example at FIG. 1, the air pumped into the system by means of the fan or fans 30 will be distributed through the conduits 44 throughout the plenum chamber portions of the modules and thence downwardly into the confines of their flexible skirt portions; whereby each module will be aircushion energized to rise above the reaction surface therebelow, as illustrated diagrammatically for example at FIGS. 2, 3.

The modules of the type designated 12 are illustrated in better detail in FIG. 2 wherein it will be seen that each such module is identical in construction to the basic module 14 except that pilot accommodation and directional control and propulsion means are carried on the top deck plate 22 thereof. The propulsion mechanism as shown by way of example in the drawing herewith comprises an engine enclosed by a nacelle 45 driving a propeller 46 accompanied by a directional control rudder system 48. The pilot accommodation cabin is illustrated at 50. It is to be understood that whereas the enginepropeller unit 4546 is of the pylon-supported and directionally pivotable type as shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 3,205,960, it may be of any other preferred type, such as for example a radial engine-driven propeller or a turbine or jet engine arrangement.

In any case, by virtue of the mechanical interconnections between the relatively assembled modules, operation of the propulsion engine 45 will drive the entire transport assembly in the desired direction as controlled by the pilot. Hence it will be appreciated that, as typified by the arrangement in FIG. 1, a transport unit of the invention may be readily fabricated by assembly into any preferred planform arrangement any required number of basic load modules of the type illustrated at FIG. 4, in combination with any preferred number of lift-fan modules as shown at FIG. 3, and any desired number of pilotpropulsion modules as illustrated at FIG. '2. The lift-fan and propulsion modules may be positioned at any preferred plan view location in the assembly, in order to attain the desired lift effect distribution and maneuvering control of the system.

As illustrated at 52, the upper perimetral edge of each module hard structure is preferably margined by an elastic gasket device, such as an inflated rubber tube or the like; so that when the modules are operatively assembled as shown for example in FIG. 1 the gasket devices 52 cooperate to substantially air-seal the spaces between oppositely disposed hard wall portions of contiguous modules. Thus, air escaping from beneath the bottom edges of contiguously disposed skirt devices will be substantially trapped by means of the gasket devices 52, thereby increasing the overall etficiency of the air cushion system.

It is to be understood that incidental to assembly of a transport mechanism as illustrated and hereinabove described, arrangements will be made whereby all of the lift fan and propulsion propeller drive engines and directional control systems of the assembly may be under control of a centrally located pilot, such as may be ac commodated in one of the cabins 50. Such controls may be arranged for either mechanically or electrically, or by means of radio control devices. Preferably, as shown at 54, a protective railing will be mounted on the deck of each propulsion module 12 to protect personnel from propeller accidents. Also, note that as illustrattd at 56 (FIG. 5) the interior corner portions of the hard structures 20 may be filled with flotation material, such as any suitable foamed plastic or the like, to increase the buoyancy characteristics of the system.

FIGS. 6, 7, illustrate another form of transport system of the invention wherein the modules of the system are of somewhat different construction. In this case, basic modules as indicated at 60 are provided which are generally similar in construction to the modules 14 ofFIGS. 1, 4, except that the hard structures thereof are subtended by only simicircular flexible skirts as indicated at 62. Generally similar modules 64 are provided to occupythe four corner portions of a system assembly as shown in FIG. 6; the modules 64 being similar in construction except that they are subtended by threequarter circular skirts 66. Other modules suitable for location centrally of the assembly as indicated at 68 (FIG. 6) are provided of similar construction except that they need no flexible skirt devices depending therefrom, inasmuch as the skirt devices of the modules 60, 64 cooperate when relatively assembled as shown in FIG. 6 to provide, in effect, a continuous perimetral enclosure for the entire assembly. Pilot-controlled propulsion mechanisms and lift-fan-engine units will of course be carried by one or more of the modules as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, for purposes explained hereinabove.

FIGS. 8, 9, illustrate how a varied assortment of modules may be interconnected to provide a train-like system comprising a line of load modules 14 led by a control module 12 and having a lift module 16 disposed in the line. FIG. 9 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 8 in side view and also depicts how the cargo carrying modules of the system may be weather-protected as by means of air inflated shelters 70-70 which may, for example, be of the type disclosed in Birdair Structures, Inc., Patent 3,116,746. Note that as indicated at 72, the inflatable envelope fabric is preferably pleated to provide extra fullness in the areas immediately above each zone of abutment between adjacent modules, whereby to permit one module to rock relative to the other (as when negotiating uneven terrain) to avoid subjecting the air-shelter fabric to undesirable stress concentrations.

FIGS. 10, 1 1, illustrate still another system arrangement such as may be readily assembled in accordance with the invention by appropriately interconnecting (in the desired planform) a suitable number of load modules 14 and an appropriate number of control modules 12 and lift modules 16; it being understood of course that the plenum chamber portions of all of the modules will be interconnected by flexible conduits 44 as explained hereinabove. FIG. provides further illustration of how a single air inflated shelter designated 75 may be arranged to cover all of the load carrying modules. Also, FIG. 10 illustrates how the flexible interconnections between adjacent modules permits them to rock, one relative to the other, as when traversing rough terrain.

Furthermore, FIG. 10 illustrates the provision of a substantially flat and rigid load carrying pallet designated 80, which is carried upon and spans the tops of the modules 14 to provide a substantially rigid support such as for an elongate load object which requires to be shielded from flexing stresses. As indicated at 82, flexible cushions, such as air inflated pillows or toroidal shaped cushions or the like are preferably disposed between the tops of the modules 14 and the bottom surface of the load pallet 80; thereby providing uniform pressure support under all parts of the load pallet while avoiding any inteference with freedom of rocking of one module relative to another and to the load support pallet.

It will of course be understood that the compressed air supply required for maintaining the cargo covering structure 75 illustrated at FIG. 10, and the cushion air supply requirements for the assembly may be furnished by the same source. In fact, during operation of the assembly there may well be sufficient leakage of air from below the platforms upwardly through the junctions of adjacent modules and into the interior of the covering structure 75 to assist in this respect. In any case, the pressure of air within the envelope 75 will be automatically controlled by means of a pressure-responsive regulator, thereby insuring at all times adequate inflation of the covering structure 75 and avoidance of excessive pressurization thereof.

A conventional type single structure ground effect machine (of given planform dimensions) is inherently propense to rolling and pitching gyrations when encountering uneven terrain or sea conditions. However, in the case of the present invention, an assembly having the same overall planform dimensions as a conventional machine will be free from such characteristics. This is because of the novel cooperational effects of contiguously interconnected modules; producing a system wherein attitude shift tendencies of the modules are automatically damped by restraining forces imposed thereon through the interconnections between adjacent modules. Because the individual modules are much smaller (in planform) than the overall planform of the machine of the invention, they individually have much lower magnitudes of instability, and the individual modules are free to participate in terrain accommodating gyrations (see FIG. 10) while each imparting to the total machine only a small fractional resultant of the angular movements of the individual module. In fact, under typical operating conditions the angular motions of the individual modules will usually be cancelled out relative to each other, so that no cumulative perturbance effects on the total machine will result. Thus, the problem of instability such as met with in operation of the single unit type ground effect machine is avoided; and a vehicle assembly of the present invention will simply undulate over an irregular terrain or rough water or the like, while maintaining a generally level course and without requiring any pilot-attention to the pitch-roll at titudes of the machine.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A ground effect machine system comprising, in combination, a plurality of individual modules including selected numbers of modules from at least three different types thereof assembled in side-by-side relation; each of said modules having rigid platform structures and a flexible cushion-air retaining skirt depending therefrom, said platform structure's each having a deck portion and side wall portions, each side wall portion thereof having an air transfer port therethrough, an air exit opening through the bottom of each said platform structure, coupling means carried by each of said platform structures universally articulating pluralities of said modules in juxtaposed connected relations, and conduit means interconnecting the air transfer ports of adjacently disposed modules, the platform structure of ,at least one of said modules mounting system propulsion and maneuvering control means, the platform structure of at least one other of said modules mounting an air pump means and drive means therefor whereby upon operation of said air pump means a supply of air under pressure is delivered into the interiors of said modules through said conduit means to provide air-cushion effects under said modules, the platform structure of at least another one of said modules providing a load carrying surface.

2. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said modules are externally of like shapes and dimensions.

3. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said modules are of generally box-shaped form.

4. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air pump means is submerged below the top level of the platform structure of said module.

5. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said modules mounting propulsion and maneuvering control means are included in the system combination, and wherein the controls thereof are centralized.

6. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said module's mounting air pump means are included in the system combination.

7. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein an .air inflated covering structure is disposed to enclose the load-carrying space provided by said module platform structures. V

8. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the supply air for inflating said covering structure is furnished by leakage of air-cushion air from below and ,around said module skirts and upwardly between said modules.

9. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 7 wherein air supply for inflating said covering structure is furnished by a source independent of 'said air pump means.

10. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein gasket devices are provided perimetrally of said module platform structures to retard escape of air therebetween.

11. A ground effect machine system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said gasket devices are of elastic nature and function also as cushion bumpers for said module platform structures.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bollum 180121 X Coates 180125 Eggington et al. l80-121 Weiland 180-1'2l Satterfield 180127 Bertin 180-127 A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Exizminer. 

